Looking for the Happy and Celebrating the Good this Mother's Day {& enter to win $100!}

Now that we’re in between the Mother's Day and Father’s Day season, we owe it to ourselves to walk away from this holiday looking for all the good there is to be celebrated around us. Look past what may not be the way you like and choose to see the good. The single mom working hard for her family, the new mom trying to figure it all out, the recent grandma experiencing motherhood in a whole new way. There is still so much to be celebrate should we choose to do so.
I try to choose to continue to celebrate. That option writes a new story for my boys and their families in the future. That option sets my family up for joy and hope in our current lives. That option helps me move into the future and move forward creating happy new memories that will eventually snuff out the less than ideal. That option allows for grace and the enjoyment of reality despite whether it's picture perfect or not.
A huge key to this method being a success? Letting go of perfection. The perfect day just won't happen but you can find perfect moments in the day. Look at the intention and maybe not the execution. Let go of ANY expectations and just settle into whatever the day will bring. Enjoy the handmade cards or short stemmed flowers picked by chubby hands.
Focus on your ability to be a mother in whatever facet you have been able to do so. Look around you for mothers who may need a hand or a hug or a card and some flowers. I have found that focusing on the moms around you and celebrating them, turns Mother's Day into an everyday kind of holiday I want in my life. Reach out to the friend who has always wanted children, include her in your plans for a day -- celebrate your husband’s Mom or your best friend’s mom for all the ways she has been there for you.
This Father's Day, find the men who mentor you, father or not. Find the men who pour into your children with time and attention and celebrate their role. Some years I have just taken an inventory of the men in my life who are good fathers and sent them a card to say so, whether they "father" me in any way or not. Look for the men who need a little encouragement and take it upon yourself to do so.
The way it goes, many of us are not necessarily blessed with amazing parents but if we adjust our approach to these holidays, we will find that we all have something to celebrate.
It all comes down to this....these are YOUR holidays so you can make them be what you want! You can make the rules and you can choose the focus. Let’s celebrate all mothers and fathers, every day. There are many and much to be celebrated if we choose to focus on all the ways we are blessed and not on the ways we are not.
We can all dig deep and find the good, because it's there, regardless of our past, our present or our future.
Can you find it? Who's a mom you'd love to celebrate? A dad? Your favorite memory?
Leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
Visit New York Life's Celebrating Good page here to share your own photos and memories, and to see how others are celebrating mothers and fathers, every day. You can also share a photo on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #KeepGoodGoing.
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135 comments:

My godmother (may she rest in peace) was a wonderful mother figure to me and a great mom to her 3 daughters. She would go on trips and always send me a postcard and bring me back a gift. I saved those postcards and I have read them to my own daughter.

I would love to celebrate my Dad because he is 84 years old and he is still helping me out with his advice and he is comforting and so supportive of me! He has dedicated his life to his kids, and he is always there with a shoulder to cry on when needed!!

I would love to celebrate my Mother-In-Law! Without her, I won't have such a good husband! ;) Yup, gotta give her all the credit. Now that I'm a Mom, I know it's not easy to guide and lead. She really teach by being a good example to her kids.

My Mom, as a mother of 8 & the wife of a military husband my Mom has sacrificed a lot for our family. Over the last few years life has several obstacles from a brother in the thick of alcohol & substance addiction, to walking her sister through losing her husband & a grandson who was very ill, she has been our rock & deserves to be celebrated.

I would like to celebrate my parents. They are truly selfless people who have always led by example and have demonstrated the blessings of giving time, resources and love to others. Not only are they a blessing to others, they are a blessing to my children as well. sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com

Some of my favorite memories of of my grandfather on the farm. He would bring lambs in and let me feed them by the wood stove; taught me to make homemade maple syrup; brought me to the garden to gather food with him; made me feel so loved.

I'd like to celebrate both my parents. My Mom really treated people well and was always so loving and caring. My Dad also is one to always be there to help others. They were/are a great inspiration.Thanks so much.rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Both of my parents deserve to be celebrated! They are both amazing people who have wonderful qualities. They are both loving, giving and always doing things for others. I would not be the person I am today without the influence of my mom and dad. Addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

My dad, as he is one the most selfless and generous person that I know. My Dad has shown his love in countless of other ways to his family. One of those ways was working long, grueling hours at the coal mine to ensure that his family had the best of everything. Even now, he is always there lending a helpful hand, whether it is words of encouragement or a household project. :)

I want to (and do) celebrate my ex-MIL. She is such a wonderful, caring person. Though I'm not married to her son anymore she treats my son (not her blood grandchild) just like the rest of her grandchildren. She's taught me so much about life, love, gardening, knitting, etc. I love her to pieces and she brings joy to my life.dmarie824 at aol dot com

Every day right now I am celebrating my Dad, who is currently living with me after having a leg amputated due to artery issues. I am constantly astounded by his positive attitude and general good cheer.

Every day right now I am celebrating my Dad, who is currently living with me after having a leg amputated due to artery issues. I am constantly astounded by his positive attitude and general good cheer.

Because I lost my mother early, the mother I love to celebrate with is Grace: my babysitter when I was growing up, who now happens to be my sister's mother-in-law. I contribute my love of cooking to her influence, and Mother's Day is often spent making giant batches of tamales.

I celebrate my mom, for all the hard work she put into rearing her two children. She homeschooled us (from preschool to 12th grade)... and she put in many long-hour days for the betterment of myself and my brother. She's awesome!pixelberrypie at yahoo dot com

My dad and I haven't seen each other since I was 16. I still love him and thing of him often but it hurts to be treated this way. My mom has been the main one who has helped me over the years, although we've never been close. amysmeltzer21521 at yahoo dot com

One of my fav Mother's Day memories was the 1st year I was able to afford to have flowers delivered to my mom. I was 14 and had some babysitting money and could afford to have one single red rose sent to her. The look on her face Mother's Day morning when she answered the door is something I will never forget. Angie 14earth at gmail dot com

I would love to celebrate my hubby. I don't think we do enough for him to let him know how important he is to us and how much we appreciate all he does for us. Thank you!!crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

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